All weather hut



Sept. 28, 1954 E. s. POMYKALA 2,6905185 l ALL WEATHER HUT Filed Sept.27, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 421' y y- 10 1 l %Y 49' .9 la za 8 e Q, x MMMINVENTOR.

Sept. 28, 1954 E. s. POMYKALA 2,690,185

ALL WEATHER HUT Filed Sept. 27 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 28, 1954 E.s. POMYKALA ALL WEATHER HUT Filed Se t. 27, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 4INVENTOR.

Sept. 28, 1954 E. s. POMYKALA 2,690,185

ALL WEATHER HUT Filed Sept. 27, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 gwucm tom PatentedSept. 28, 1954 O'FF I CE ALL WEATHER HUT Edmund stanleyromykala, Mobile,AIa.

Application Septemben27, 1949,,Serial No..118,010-

'Claims.

This` i'nvention relates to improvements' in huts; tents, beach hous'es"and 'other' Similar' habi tations, generallyofitemporarynature; In. parati'cula'r' it" concerns construction of: economical' shelters orquarters for military personnel at:

advance bases, especially in very coldpolar re"- gions..

The' Object of the present invention is'to' provideuaprefabricatedstructure of. a compact and economical. nature which may b'e. carried'along' with. the personnel inaircraft* or other 'means' oftransportation, for immediate construction.. of. a' suitable shelter orhut at und'evelope'd; advan'ce'd bases..

' A further Object is to provide a self supporting structure, the insideof which is' freezfrom masts', and the outside free from guys' and otherobst'ructions and adaptable for: extremely rapidand* simple assemblyand' disassemblyunder' adverse conditions', using a pieces.

A further object' is to' make the above* structure in the form of abasic'frame with suitable alternate additional' elements' for use'indifierent climates.

A further* obj ect' is* to make' the. above. structure adaptable forthe* application of available' raw* materials such as foliage', dirt',snow', etc'. to' improve insulation characteristi'cs;

Afurther Object' is to make the' above' structure adaptable for. theapplication ofapermanent covering, permitting construction ofcheap butdurable shelters for beaches, farm. houses, and

other` Outlying places;

Other andmore specific objects* will appeal' in the' following detailed'description of' illustrative forms of construction basedfion* thepresent* invention, having reference to the accompanying drawings.

The hut is circular in plan and' domi'cal in section. short verticalcolumns' support a roof roughly elliptical in section. The'shorttubular' columns and roof ribs together' with roof* rib' stressing*cables form a continuous rigid frame.

Further details are as follows:

Figure 1 is a plan view of roof frami'ng.

of Connecting Figure 2 is a typical sectional view showing.

Figure 4 is a part elevation View to an* enlarged scale showing typical"tubular' column and* rib' framng.

Figure 5 is' a part side elevatior view* of top* ribframing at theventil'a-tor.

, taken on line T-T of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a part plan view of the base chann'el'ring. at 'the pointofconnectionwith a column taken on line' 8-8 of' Figure 4.

. Figure 9."is a detail' oflan end'connector of one of the'ro'ofstressing cables.

Figure 1'0 is a section of' a. connector taken, on* line. lD-lll inFigures).

Figure" 11 is a typical section of: roof framing serving a's aprelminary shelter.

Figure 12'is an el'evation of the hut serving, as a preliminary.shelter.

Figure- 13" is apart plan. view of the base channel* ring* at' the pointof its connection with a rib taken' on line l3-l3 of Fig. 11. showingfast'eningt of'th'e' rib to the channel ring.

Figure 14 isa' part sectional view ofa rib and,

the* channel rin'g: taken on' line M-l l of Fg. 13.

Figure 15 sa. part plan view of the base channel' ring' and' the hutcovering taken on line [5 -45 ofFg; 12.

Figure: 1'6 is a part. sectional" view of the hut covering" and' thebase channel' ring taken on line Hi -46 of' Fig'. 15.

Figure' 1'7 is a: part, elevational view of' the bottom of the* dome"coverin'g taken on line H-IT of Fi 1'6.

Figure 18' is' a* front elevation View of a com'- pl'eted hut for cold*climate. v

Figure' 19" is atypical sectional' view of the hut in* veryc'old'weather covered with snow for additional' insulation.

. Figure 20 is' a partial side elevation showing outrigger framing andhorizontal fastening of hut covering Sections.

Figure' 2`1 is an elevation of the canopyoutrigger which may-be' usedwhere required, taken on line- 2|'--2l of Fig; 20. l

Figure 22' is* a typical sectional plan of a hut* constructed forpermanent occupancy.

Figure 23 is a typical sectional elevation view of a permanent hut.

Inall' Views simil'ar numerals or' numerals and lett'ers refer* toSimilar parts.

short' vertical columns la and the roof ribs' la, allof metal tubing,form a continuous rigid' frame; The spl'i'ce is made slightly below theeave line* on line X-X approximately* 4.5 feet off' the floor'for* a',20* foot hut. The `columns are supported and frameinto' circular holesSa, of. main bearing channel ring 6. The columns are braced by ringangles- 5, which run completely around except for a door Opening.Columns la and ribs lc are joined through tube connector lb, which iswelded to the column below but is open above. Ribs lc are braced by ringangle 4 which runs completely around the hut. Both angles l` and 5 arespliced about every feet. A typical splice would consist of a short stubangle welded to one end of the ring angle, and would have two weldedstud bolts at the connecting end. All that is necessary for making theconnection is slipping the free end of the next ring angle over thesebolts and tightening the bolt nuts. This is shown in a similarconnection in Fig. 3. The ribs are additionally braced and alsoprestressed by cable ties 2. The ribs frame into circular eye ring anglesa, through studs 3b. The end of the rib bears against the face of theangle sa, as cables 2a are made taut. Each hut is equipped with aventilator 3, having a slightly inclined circular peaked roof 36.Ventilator 3 frames into eye ring angle tu, and is fastened with bolts30. A complete hut is equipped with wooden floor of plywood %a and llbresting on sleepers 9. The Iloor may be sectionalized andprefabricatecl,

Figure 3 is a part plan view of the base channel ring G. This channelring is bolted down through plywood ring block 1, with bolts Be, andspliced about every 10 feet with stub splicing channel (if, welded onone side and bolted on the other through welded stud bolts Sy.

Tube columns la drop through keyhole slots fia, b, such slots permittinglooking lug ld to slip by. The bottom of the column rests on clipbearing plate 60 shown more in detail in Fig. 14. The column is rotatedabout 60 to lock it in position. The same system of looking is used forangles 4 and 5, the keyed holes being shown as la and lb in Fig. '7.This obviates bolting and adds to speed in erection, particularly underadverse frigid conditions. Ribs lc are also practically assembledwithout bolts, since the lower end drops in sleeve socket lb and theupper end is held in position by stud bolts 3b. In assembling theseribs, ring angle 4 has to be loose and the splice nuts are not tighteneduntil all the ribs are in position. Metallic wire cables 2 are thenthreaded through hexagonal holes le. These holes are lined with thinmetal siding welded to the body of the metal tubular ribs. Cables 2 areterminated with metallic connectors za; of hexagonal section. Theseconnectors are swedged on the cable. The extreme ends of the connectorshave a threaded shank Zb to receive nut 20. After the cables arethreaded, they are made taut by screwing the nuts 20 down shank Zb'. Atension in the cables of about 100 lbs. is required. This tightening ofthe cables has several effects which are very important. It pulls allthe ribs to bear against the face of angle sa. It prestresses the ribsand induces a negative moment in the ribs. It braces the ribs againstside buckling. Finally it causes the whole framing to act as a unit.

Figures 11 and 12 show the top part of the hut assembled on the groundserving as a temporary shelter in very cold weather before the main hutcan be erected. The roof ribs frame into the base channel ring and arefastened by rotating key bolts Eid. The dome roof covering lll isfastened to base channel ring 5 by threading rope il through grommetslua and spirally winding it around the channel ring. Additional ropeties may be provided as required to fasten the covering ili to the ribframing. Dome covering Il) as well as side wall covering |2 below iscomposed of quilted canvas or other woven material and cotton felt about/3" thick. One layer of canvas is on each face. The cotton felt ofcovering |2 is in the interior serving as insulation. Both coverings oand IZ are joined by lacing rope H through respective grommets lila. Inmore temperate climates heavy qluilted coverings may be dispensed withparticularly on the sides, where a single ply of plain canvas |2b Wouldbe sufcient. This could be made in smaller sectional lengths withVertical splices made by lacing rope through a double row of grommets.In tropical countries additional protection would be required frommosquitoes and so suitable netting lzc may be provided. This, ingeneral, would be reinforced with canvas strips at intervals. Outriggers13, in general, would only be provided for warmer climates. Theseoutriggers would support canopy 14. Canopy M is attached to the domecovering by lacing rope through suitable grommets in two strips ofcanvas lub projecting from the main dome covering. In very frigidweather it may be desirable to provide additional insulation over thehut covering in the form of snow, leaves and twigs. This is shown inFig. 19, where 15 is such local insulation and 16 is lintel boardscarrying insulation at windows lZa. Windows |2a of Plexiglas aregenerally removable and they are secured in side covering [2. Heatingmay be provided by space heater IT. Flue pipe Ila eXtends throughspecial ventilator roof 3 f. The framing described and illustrated alsolends itself to permanent construction shown in Figures 22 and 23.Typical tubular column framing is covered by suitable metal furring lathand applying suitable stucco a on the outside, plaster za on the insidewi h rock wool or similar insulation is in between. In general theexterior stucco would be painted with elastic paints now on the market.Additional roofing materials may be provided as required. Such permanenthut would be provided with regular windows 2| and door 22. The wholestructure would rest on a durable foundation of brick or Concrete 23.

This in general illustrates the main features and the wide adaptabilityof this hut. The main framing and covering is purposely made in twosections for several reasons.

1. Ease of erection.

2. simplicity of breakdown for transportation.

3. Adaptability to changing climates and seasons.

l. Adaptability for quick protection on establishing a new camp.

In severe cold and snow it may not be feasible to set up an entire hutat landing or on establishing a camp. It is proposed that only the toppart be assembled on the ground. This can be done in about ten minutes.The members can crawl in for protection, and the construction of themain and more permanent structure can follow at greater leisure.

For more temperate climate it is desirable to give protection from sunand rain and so a canopy of single ply canvas is added. This is attachedto the main roof covering either by snap fasteners or preferably bylacing rope, and is supported on outriggers. For tropical climates allcovering is, in general, of single ply canvas with an additionalseparate layer of mosquito netting reinforced with canvas strips servingas side protection. For beach houses and Outlying farm dwellingspermanent construction may be desirable. The hut shown and described isapproximately 20 feet in diameter and is intended to house eight men.

Framing, in general, would be of aluminum for lightness. These huts canbe made in much larger sizes. They are very strong, highly resistant toearthquakes and windstorms and because of their shape they admrably lendthemselves to camoufiage.

The huts, as shown, can be easily transported by air with a minimum ofweight and volume. Because of the large area covered in relation to thesurfacing `material involved and the large amount of prefabrication,they are basically very economical.

Having described the main features and details, it is within the scopeof any engineer, manufacturer or others skilled in the art, to developother suitable details without departing from the spirit of theinvention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

I Claim:

1. A skeleton framework for a hut which comprises in combination anouter base ring provided with spaced vertical holes, an inner concentricring, a plurality of radially-disposed elastic arched ribs forming adomed roof structure, converging at the top and secured in said innerring; the depending lower ends of said ribs being adapted to fit in saidvertical holes of said base ring to form a framework for a low temporaryshelter, lacing cables attached to said ribs at points intermediate thebase ring and the Central ring and forming concentric polygons, andmeans for stressing said cables in order to stress the ribs and to makethe ribs and rings into a structura un't. V

2. A skeleton framework for a hut which comprises in combination anouter base ring provided with spaced vertical holes, an inner concentricring, a plurality of radially-disposed elastic arched ribs forming adomed roof structure, converging at the top and secured in said innerring, the depending lower ends of said ribs being adapted to fit in thevertical holes of said base ring to form the framework for a lowtemporary shelter, vertical stub columns also adapted to fit into thevertical holes of said base ring provided at their tops with socketsfitting the depending lower ends of said ribs, lacing cables attached tosaid ribs at points internedate the base ring and the Central ring andforming concentric polygons, and means for stressing said cables inorder to stress the ribs and to make the elements of the hut into astructural unit; said vertical columns, when inserted in the holes ofthe base ring and surmounted by the roof framework, providing aframework for a more permanent shelter of greater height.

3. The framework of claim 1 in combination with a circular bracing angleembracing the depending ends of said ribs and means mounted on said ribsfor supporting said bracing angle a spaced distance above the base ring.

4. The framework of claim 2 in combination with circular bracing anglesembracing said stub columns and means mounted on said columns forsupporting said angles at spaced distances above the base ring.

5. An all weather hut comprising in combination an outer base ringprovided with spaced vertical holes, an inner concentric ring, aplurality of radially-disposed elastic arched ribs forming a domed roofstructure, converging at the top and secu'ed in said inner ring, thedepending lower ends of said ribs being adapted to fit in the verticalholes of said base ring, a domeshaped covering adapted to fit over saidroof structure, means for securing said covering to the base ring; thesaid covering and roof structure forming a low temporary shelter;Vertical stubcolumns also adapted to fit into the vertical holes of saidbase ring provided at their tops with sockets fitting the dependinglower ends of said ribs, lacing cables attached to said ribs at pointsintermediate the base ring and the Central ring and forming concentricpolygons, means for stressing said cables in order to stress the ribsand to make the elements of the hut into a structural unit, a side wallcovering extending around the stub columns, and means for securing theside wall covering to the dome-shaped covering and to the base ring; thecombination of said coverings and said vertical columns surmounted bythe roof structure forming a more permanent shelter of greater height.

Eeferences Cited in the fiie of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 604,277 Tofit May 1' 1898 620,719 Nicholson Mar. 7, 18991,190,999 Harris July 11, 1916 2,181,016 Gross Nov. 21, 1939 2,197,791Eddy Apr. 23, 1940 2,225,9'72 Brogren Dec. 24, 1940 2,314,830 I-IunterMar. 23, 1943 2,351,419 Fuller June 13, 1944

